Metaphor: Definition
1. a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them
2. Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way.
Examples:
'"Tis an unweeded garden / That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature / Possess it merely'"
Act II Scene ii
Analysis:
The garden metaphor is seen throughout the play of Hamlet, the metaphor can be view in many different ways, however it is typically associated with the state of Demark. Note that a garden is dependent on two things, the rule of nature and the care of the gardener. Cladius is the gardener, and does not tend his garden, and Denmark slowly begins its decay. This metaphor is important as it creates images of decay, death and sickness, and helps the audience’s understanding of the state of Denmark. In this verse, Shakespeare introduces the rotting garden metaphor. “Tis an unweeded garden” is Denmarks state before Claudius’s rule, it shows that under Claudiu’s rule, Denmark “grows to seed” from his neglect of the state of Denmark, as well as his corruption. It is important as it is Shakespeare’s first reference to a garden in trouble, and references it to the horrible condition Denmark is in.
Example 2
The infamous “The Road Not Taken”
“Two roads diverged in yellow wood”
Robert Frost uses a metaphor to show that the speaker’s choice impact on his life. The two roads diverged in yellow wood, compares a decision, to two diverging roads. To the travelers, the two diverging roads obviously mean it is time to make a decision, to choose one of the other. Travelers who face two diverging roads are just like people who face a fork in the road, which is a deciding moment or a turning point in life when a major choice is required. This metaphor helps the reader understand the author’s purpose of regret, and important life decisions, and there is also a strong sense of imagery that is sparked from this metaphor.
Definition
1. a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them
2. Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way.
Examples:
'"Tis an unweeded garden / That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature / Possess it merely'"
Act II Scene ii
Analysis:
The garden metaphor is seen throughout the play of Hamlet, the metaphor can be view in many different ways, however it is typically associated with the state of Demark. Note that a garden is dependent on two things, the rule of nature and the care of the gardener. Cladius is the gardener, and does not tend his garden, and Denmark slowly begins its decay. This metaphor is important as it creates images of decay, death and sickness, and helps the audience’s understanding of the state of Denmark. In this verse, Shakespeare introduces the rotting garden metaphor. “Tis an unweeded garden” is Denmarks state before Claudius’s rule, it shows that under Claudiu’s rule, Denmark “grows to seed” from his neglect of the state of Denmark, as well as his corruption. It is important as it is Shakespeare’s first reference to a garden in trouble, and references it to the horrible condition Denmark is in.
Example 2
The infamous “The Road Not Taken”
“Two roads diverged in yellow wood”
Robert Frost uses a metaphor to show that the speaker’s choice impact on his life. The two roads diverged in yellow wood, compares a decision, to two diverging roads. To the travelers, the two diverging roads obviously mean it is time to make a decision, to choose one of the other. Travelers who face two diverging roads are just like people who face a fork in the road, which is a deciding moment or a turning point in life when a major choice is required. This metaphor helps the reader understand the author’s purpose of regret, and important life decisions, and there is also a strong sense of imagery that is sparked from this metaphor.